I did my first fashion interview for the Carter’s Blog. It was so much fun to talk about fashion and my personal style and I am honored that Sabrina selected me as one of her favorite fashionistas to give style advice.

After reading the article I started to think more about style, where it comes from, and what it means to be “stylish”. When it comes to developing or improving your own personal style, it’s helpful to learn ways to coordinate pieces and how to accessorize, but it is also important to embrace a style that is your own. When I developed the tag line for my blog, “Make your Statement”, I wanted to emphasize that style is more than chasing the latest trends. When you develop a sense of style that is your own, everything flows together effortlessly. The tagline also reflects my love of bold and unique pieces.

This look was captured during my trip to New Orleans for Labor Day weekend. It is one of my favorite cities and I marvel at the unique culture marked by the music, language, cuisine, and customs. With each visit, I am still much like a tourist, captivated by activities that please all of the senses, from the colorful buildings to the sounds of street performers.

Appropriate for a day time stroll through the French Quarter, I kept it cool, comfortable, and chic with this safari-inspired look. I wore this olive jumper and carried the neutral color scheme through my accessories, adding a few pops of color. The suspenders on this jumper are removable, which means more ways to style and wear it.

Accessories can transform your look and I used my accessories to add some bold accents. I wore block heels, a comfortable alternative to wearing flats. The design on the heels and the colors were the perfect compliment to the colors on my top. The hand woven basket purse, with detailed embroidery, and my straw hat complete the safari look, but were also functional parts of my outfit (hello NOLA heat).

I always get compliments when I carry this bag. It was a purchase during a trip to Thailand, but I found a similar one, also made in Thailand and available for purchase through the UNICEF Market. Since proceeds from the market support artisans from around the world and UNICEF’s work to improve the health and livelihood of children, it is a great way to find unique items while also supporting a good cause.

Thanks for stopping by! Whether eventful or restful, I hope your holiday weekend was exactly what you needed! You can also read my responses to the fashion interview I referenced, along with two other daringly stylish women, here.